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Almost two-thirds of Nigerians say the country is “going in the wrong direction,” a recent Afrobarometer survey reveals. Though harsh, this assessment represents an improvement from 2015. The government’s macroeconomic performance is less favourably rated than its performance in fighting corruption. Even so, an overwhelming majority of citizens are optimistic that the country has a brighter economic outlook. Released at a point when Nigeria is recovering from economic recession, these findings reflect the concerns of most Nigerians regarding the country’s socioeconomic development. Key findings § More than six in 10 Nigerians (63%) say the country is “going in the wrong direction,” a 9-percentage-point improvement from 2015 (Figure 1). § Government is more favourably rated for its performance in fighting corruption (59% say it has done “fairly well” or “very well”) than in managing the economy (33%), improving living standards of the poor (25%), creating jobs (25%), ensuring food security (19%), keeping prices stable (18%), and narrowing income gaps (16%) (Figure 2). § A majority (60%) of citizens say the country’s economic condition is “fairly bad” or “very bad.” Almost the same proportion (57%), however, describe their personal living condition as “fairly good” or “very good” (Figure 3). § Almost half (48%) say the country’s economic condition is “worse” or “much worse” compared to a year ago. But an overwhelming majority (82%) are optimistic that things will be “better” or “much better” in 12 months’ time (Figure 4). Afrobarometer Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, economic conditions, and related issues across more than 35 countries in Africa. Six rounds of surveys were conducted between 1999 and 2015, and Round 7 surveys (2016/2018) are currently underway. Afrobarometer conducts face-toface interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples. The Afrobarometer national partners in Nigeria, CLEEN Foundation and Practical Sampling International, interviewed a nationally representative, random, stratified probability sample of 1,600 adult Nigerians between 26 April and 10 May 2017. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2% at a 95% confidence level. Previous surveys have been conducted in Nigeria in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, and 2014. Charts Figure 1: Overall direction of the country | Nigeria | 2017 Respondents were asked: Would you say that the country is going in the wrong direction or going in the right direction? Respondents were asked: How well or badly would you say the current government is handling the following matters, or haven’t you heard enough to say? (% who say “fairly well” or “very well”) Figure 3: Economic and living conditions| Nigeria | 2017 Respondents were asked: In general, how would you describe: - The present economic condition of this country? - Your own present living conditions? Figure 4: Economic condition: Looking back and ahead | Nigeria | 2017 Respondents were asked: -Looking back, how do you rate economic conditions in this country compared to 12 months ago? - Looking ahead, do you expect economic conditions in this country to be better or worse in 12 months’ time? For more information, please contact: Ojewale Oluwole Afrobarometer Dissemination Manager CLEEN Foundation, Nigeria +234 8063026114 Email: oluwole.ojewale@cleen.org Visit us online at: www.cleen.org www.afrobarometer.org

A majority of Nigerians value diverse communities, identify equally with their ethnicity and nationality, and believe there is more that unites Nigerians as one people than divides them, new Afrobarometer findings show. Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed repeated ethnic and religious clashes. But the survey shows that nine in 10 citizens are tolerant of people from different religions, ethnic groups, nationalities, and political parties. However, general trust in fellow citizens is very low; most Nigerians say one “must be very careful” in dealing with others. Key findings Almost two-thirds (62%) of citizens say they feel equally attached to their Nigerian identity and their ethnic identity (Figure 1). One in five (22%) identify more with their ethnic group than their nationality, while somewhat fewer (16%) identify more their nationality. By a ratio of 2-to-1, citizens think there is more that unites all Nigerians as a people (62%) than divides them (36%) (Figure 2). Almost three-quarters (72%) of citizens say that diverse communities are stronger than homogeneous ones (25%) (Figure 3). About nine out of 10 Nigerians say they would like it or “would not care” if their neighbours were from a different ethnic group (90%), belonged to a different religion (86%), supported a different political party (91%), or were immigrants (88%) (Figure 4). Only one in 10 (9%) would welcome homosexuals as their neighbours. Only 7% of Nigerians think that “most people can be trusted” (Figure 5). Nine in 10 (92%) say you “must be very careful when dealing with people.” Afrobarometer surveys Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Seven rounds of surveys were completed in up to 38 countries between 1999 and 2018. Round 8 surveys in 2019/2021 are planned in at least 35 countries. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples. The Afrobarometer team in Nigeria, led by NOIPolls, interviewed 1,599 adult citizens of Nigeria in January-February 2020. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous surveys were conducted in Nigeria in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2017. Charts Figure 1: National vs. ethnic identity | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: Let us suppose that you had to choose between being a Nigerian and being a [member of respondent’s ethnic group]. Which of the following statements best expresses your feelings? Figure 2: More that unites or more that divides? | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: Nigerians are very diverse. They come from different religions, ethnic groups, political parties, and economic and social backgrounds. Overall, would you say that there is more that unites all Nigerians as one people, or more that divides them? Figure 3: Does diversity make communities stronger? | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: Which of the following statements is closest to your view? Statement 1: Communities are stronger when they are made up of people from different ethnic groups, races, or religions. Statement 2: Communities are stronger when they are made up of people who are similar to each other, that is, people from the same ethnic group, race, or religion. (% who “agree” or “agree very strongly” with each statement) Figure 4: Tolerance for others | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: For each of the following types of people, please tell me whether you would like having people from this group as neighbours, dislike it, or not care. Figure 5: Can most people be trusted? | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you must be very careful in dealing with people? For more information, please contact: Raphael Mbaegbu Telephone: +234 8063292096 Email: rmbaegbu@noi-polls.com Visit us online at: www. www.noi-polls.com www.afrobarometer.org

Afrobarometer, a non-profit corporation with headquarters in Ghana, is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Seven rounds of surveys were completed in up to 38 countries between 1999 and 2018. Round 8 surveys in 2019/2021 are planned in at least 35 countries. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples. The Afrobarometer National Partner in Nigeria, NOI Polls, interviewed a nationally representative, random, stratified probability sample of 1,599 adult Nigerians between 20 January and 13 February 2020. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous surveys have been conducted in Nigeria in1999, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2017. CDD-Ghana provided technical backstopping for the survey. Technical details of the survey, including descriptions of stratification and household selection, translation languages, and related information, can be found in the survey Technical Information Form that follows. Follow this link for the presentation of the survey findings from all the questions posed to respondents. The findings are also presented by some critical demographics such as gender and place of residence (urban-rural). For more information, please visit www.afrobarometer.org or www.noi-polls.com.

Most Nigerians are concerned about kidnappings in their state, Afrobarometer study shows Abuja, Nigeria – March 2, 2021: Most Nigerians are concerned about kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in their state, the most recent Afrobarometer study shows. The apprehension is widespread among all socio-demographic groups and highest in northern Nigeria. The study also shows that crime/security is among the three most important problems that Nigerians want their government to address. Kidnappings by extremists and criminal gangs have plagued Nigeria in recent years, especially in the North. Hundreds of schoolgirls in Zamfara State were kidnapped last Friday, and later released, and about 26 people, including a chief imam, were kidnapped in Niger State on Saturday – the same day that 42 students kidnapped in the same state were ransomed. Key findings Almost nine in 10 Nigerians (85%) say they are concerned about kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in their state, including 55% who are “very concerned” about this issue (Figure 1). Only 13% say they are either not that concerned or not concerned at all. Apprehension about kidnappings is more widespread in the three northern zones – North West (96%), North East (89%), and North Central (87%) – than in the South (Figure 2). Crime/security joins electricity and infrastructure among the three most important problems that Nigerians want their government to address, ahead of unemployment, water supply, education, and poverty (Figure 3). Afrobarometer surveys Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Seven rounds of surveys were completed in up to 38 countries between 1999 and 2018. Round 8 surveys in 2019/2021 are planned in at least 35 countries. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples. The Afrobarometer team in Nigeria, led by NOIPolls, interviewed 1,599 adult citizens of Nigeria in January-February 2020. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous surveys were conducted in Nigeria in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2017. Charts Figure 1: Concerns about kidnapping | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: How concerned are you about the problem of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in your state? Figure 2: Concerns about kidnapping | by zone | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: How concerned are you about the problem of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in your state? (% who say “somewhat concerned” or “very concerned”) Figure 3: Top 10 most important problems | Nigeria | 2020 Respondents were asked: In your opinion, what are the most important problems facing this country that government should address? (Respondents could give up to three answers.) For more information, please contact: Raphael Mbaegbu Telephone: +234 8063292096 Email: rmbaegbu@noi-polls.com Visit us online at: www. www.noi-polls.com www.afrobarometer.org